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BORN
1940
DIED
2016
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Richard Somers Obituary
Madison
Fr. Richard Lawrence Somers, 76, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at St. Catherine's Village. He was born in Clogh, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland on August 8, 1940, son of the late, Richard and Mary Somers. He was fifth of six siblings, two sisters and three brothers. He attended the local school, after which he went on to the Minor Seminary, St. Kieran in Kilkenny City. From there he moved on to the Major Seminary at St. John's in Waterford, where he completed his philosophy and theological studies.
Fr. Somers was ordained for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson in June 12, 1966. He arrived in Jackson on September 1966 and shortly thereafter took up his first assignment at Our Lady of the Gulf in Bay St. Louis. He also served as an Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Fatima, Biloxi, and Sacred Heart, Hattiesburg, and St. Patrick, Meridian. In 1975 he became Pastor of St. Therese in Jackson and from there moved across town to Pastor of St. Richard. His final assignment was at St. Joseph in Greenville where he spent sixteen years, which was his longest tenure.
Fr. Somers retired for health reasons on February 1, 2012 and in December he moved into St. Catherine's Village. His almost fifty years of service has left a lasting impression on the church in Mississippi. His infectious optimism touched the lives of many people because of his enthusiasm, his energy, his faith and his great love of the Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Eddie; and his sister, Peggy. He is survived by his brothers, Patty and Frank; and his sister, Teresa.
Visitation will be held at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1242 Lynwood Drive, Jackson, 39206 on Friday, October 21st, from 4-7 with a wake service at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, October 22nd at 11:00 am at St. Richard Catholic Church. Internment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery in Gluckstadt.
Fr. Somers will be greatly missed by a large number of people. In lieu of flowers, memorials or financial donations may be made in Fr. Somers name to St Joseph Catholic High School, 1501 VFW Road, Greenville, MS 38701.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Somers
Sponsored by Parkway Funeral Home and Memorial Park.
Mary Parker
October 23, 2017
It was a year last Thursday, 10/19 since you left us. I was one of the fortunate to call you friend. I first met you in 1976 at St. Therese in Jackson. You taught me so much especially as I went thru difficult times. I prayed continually to learn to listen to God's voice and spend as much time in His word as possible as the Bible is our source for a good life. You married me and my sweetheart and you and Fr. Bill reminded us to keep the Lord in the center of our lives. I try to remind young married couples of that especially. I miss you so much but I know you are where you deserve to be experiencing peace and joy with our Lord!
October 21, 2017
Father Somers was the first Catholic Priest I ever talked with. We had just married and moved to Bay St. Louis in 1965 and Father Somers visited us. I was Baptist and husband Catholic from The Bay. Fr. Somers had just come to the US from Ireland. He spoke with a HEAVY Irish accent and I, having never experienced Irish priests, didn't understand a word he said!! We visited for hours and became friends. Father Somers was at our first baby's christening in Bay St. Louis and he was at St. Richard to help us bury our first born 28 years later after a horrible auto accident. Father Somers is greatly LOVED by our family. Vivian and Jay Lacoste
Buddy Wood
October 20, 2017
A year has passed my dear friend since you went to heaven to receive your well deserved reward with our Lord and Savior. Your presence is with us daily, motivating us to be a better person in God's image to Everyone. We miss you, love you and thank you for your life lessons and clear understanding of Christ in our daily lives.
Kathy Ward
December 8, 2016
Let go and let God, trust in God. Just a few of fathers favorite sayings. I was blessed to be able to spend the last 3 1/2 years of father's life with him. His faith was strong we would go to the chapel daily where he wanted to pray in front of the tabernacle. I was amazed watching him pray. It was as if he was transformed into a state of intimacy between him and our Lord. Father also had a tremendous devotion to the Divine Mercy chaplet, we would pray it daily as well. His belief in God's mercy gave him strength. The very core of father being was his ability to understand humanity, to understand life and the struggles of life. He never judged anyone, but made it clear that we all must trust in God. The last year of fathers life he lived that way. Weak as he was I often heared him say in a very quiet voice, Jesus I trust in you, Jesus I love you, thank you Jesus I pray for the repose of his soul that he find peace and joy in heaven Tootlesâ¤
Kveta
November 5, 2016
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
william mc carthy
November 5, 2016
November 5, 2016
Rest in peace Richard.I'm sure I speak for all our home village,clogh..you were a great person ,I grew up next door,and thought the world of you,,god bless you..William mc carty,
Fred Smith
October 31, 2016
Fr. Richard Somers
Geniune in his Love for others-unconditionally & unwavering.
Fr. Somers liverd by CHRIST'S example
& teachings. A role model completely thur
GOD's words. Such a "Blessing" to all he met. Thank You; JESUS for the opportunity
to have known him & Love him as YOUR
Servant. Fred & Jean (decease) Smith- formerly,
ST. Therese
October 24, 2016
Patsy Prewitt
October 23, 2016
And now you are Saint Richard, good and faithful servant- hope they have apple pie and ice cream in heaven! Love from Johnny and Patsy Prewitt (Greenville, MS)
Annette Mccarthy
October 23, 2016
A sad end for a great man who always thought of others first. Terrible he never got to enjoy his retirement after doing so much for others. Fr Richard was just ordained when he married my parents, his cousin Marie and George. It became a family tradition and he subsequently married my sister, my brother and myself. Fond memories of him coming to visit after being at Croke Park to see Kilkenny winning yet another hurling match and sitting down for a lovely Sunday dinner. He had a great sweet tooth and was no one to say no to another slice of apple tart with lashings of cream, not that Mam would let him decline. When Fr Richard hugged you he did it like he meant it, you felt the affects for an hour afterwards
Mai Hosey
October 23, 2016
Deepest sympathy to the Somer's family on Fr. Richards passing to his eternal home. He was indeed a good and faithful servant of the Lord. He loved his work and his birth place Clogh and we all loved him and his trips home for the Hurling All-Irelands.
May he rest in Peace after all his hard work .
The Hosey families Clogh.
June & Wesley Shoop
October 22, 2016
Heartbroken is the only word I can come up with that even begins to address my feelings to the passing of Father Somer's My husband and I both loved him dearly and he will be sorely missed. Truly a Man of God. Rest in Peace, for you so deserve it and deepest sympathy to the Somer's family.
June Shoop & Family
Barbara Furlong (Farrell)
October 22, 2016
Fr. Richard was a kind and loving man and he was deeply loved by all our family, non more than my mother and his cousin Marie Farrell (need Brennan).
We have many fond memories of his visits home to Ireland, in particular when we would watch a Kilkenny hurling match and then pop up to have Sunday dinner with the whole family.
He married Marie & George just 3 days after being ordained a priest and we were blessed that he also married 3 if their children, Annette, Fergus and myself Barbara.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Rest in peace Fr. Richard and say hello to Dad for us.
October 22, 2016
Deepest sympathy to the somers family on the death of. Father Richard. From Michael Hosey (London)
Gloria Traylor
October 22, 2016
He was a good and faithful servant of the Lord. Best priest ever. He loved everyone and everyone loved him. Farewell my friend.
Edel Maguire (nee Brennan)
October 22, 2016
It is with a heavy heart I heard of the passing of our beloved Fr Richard. He was my dads cousin and we loved him so much. I remember we so looked forward to seeing him when he visited Ireland every summer. He always made time to visit with all his family and brought great joy to our hearts and our homes. We will miss you fr Richard but you are with Jim now in heaven and no doubt enjoying a good chin wag. May you rest in peace. The Brennas
Pauline & Rose Murphy
October 22, 2016
Fond memories of our beloved Fr Richard a proud Irish man from Kilkenny, who loved the game of hurling and the crack!
Fr Richard a first cousin to Rose Murphy (Somers) they grew up together as children and carried that special friendship into their adult lives, with many great chats had over the phone with lots of laughter. Their was always great excitement when Fr Richard came to visit, we knew it was going to be a great day. So many stories to tell and so many treasured memories.
Fr Richard you will be Always in our Hearts and Thoughts.
With Love from Rose, Pauline, Lily, Marguerite, Annie, Ray and all the Murphy family
Rest In Peace
Patrice Paige
October 21, 2016
Father Somers was a wonderful person and was loved by many. Rest in peace you will always have a special place in my heart...
October 21, 2016
Deep condolences for your loss. May your family find peace and comfort in knowing it has been promised pain and death will one day be no more.
gerry Gray-Lewis
October 21, 2016
A priest in the fullest meaning and holiness of the word, no doubt already yet to be canonized saint in Heaven to whom we may now pray! He touched all of our family's life in so many pastoral and deeply sacramental ways. We send our deepest condolences to his family and those faithful friends who ministered to him especially during his stay at St. Catherine's.
Our grateful love!
Vic & Gerry Gray-Lewis
Robby & Mary Parker
October 21, 2016
I first met Fr. Somers in 1976. Never spoke to anyone from Ireland. I met him at St. Therese. I learned more about my Catholic faith but I truly learned to live it more than ever before. He had many gifts and taught us to pass on and share the gifts we learned with each other. He taught us to evangelize, get involved in any part of our parish that needed us. Nothing should be kept to ourselves. We are the body of Christ.
Our RCIA group brought more to the church than any other parish most of the time. It was he who taught us to go out 2 by 2 and invite people. And so we did.
If you were blessed to attend St. Therese during the years he was our pastor, you received the gift of Fr. Somers. Reaching out and being Jesus to someone meant he taught you to be Jesus to ALL. I would forget or quit, but I would remember his words, "try again. Don't ever quit."
My husband, my son and I express our deepest sympathies especially to his family members who could not attend because of distance and health issues. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing Richard Somers with me and my family and our entire parish family for nearly his entire life.
Every parish he pastored, they knew they were touched by his gifts when he left. We truly know now. We will miss him so.
We know you are with all our loved ones that passed on and that gives us great joy as we realize we will be with you all one day if we continue to live as Jesus and Fr. Somers taught us.
Fran Keane
October 21, 2016
Fr. Somers was my priest at St. Therese in Jackson for many years. We shared laughter, sadness, and occasionally had some robust dialogue. He touched many lives during his time in Mississippi and was dedicated to God and church? I offer my deepest sympathies to his family.
Miles Cobb
October 21, 2016
A Great Priest that touched many lives. We are Blessed to call him our friend. OUR LOSS IS HEAVEN'S GAIN. We will keep him in our hearts forever. Miles, Donna , and Wess Cobb
Margaret Hayes
October 21, 2016
Our deepest sympathies to the Somers Family. We knew Fr. Richard for many years through his friendship with my uncle Fr. Jim & my aunt Sr. Esther. He was the loveliest man you could meet & always so kind and sincere. We remember with fondness the reunions back home in Ireland; especially the jubilee celebrations for both Fr.Richard & Fr.Jim. May he rest in peace. Ar Dh
Vivian and Jay Lacoste
October 21, 2016
Father Somers was in Bay St. Louis when we were first married and then when our first child, a boy, Jace, was born. Father was young and we were young but most importantly Father Somers lead me into the Catholic faith. In 1995 Father Somers helped us through the heavenly birthday of this first son after a horrible traffic accident. Father was there for Jace's birth and death. Our family survived this tradegy with Father Somers help. We thank God for sending Father Somers to us.
The Staff of Parkway Funeral Home
October 20, 2016
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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